There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom
James Sellick
Summary: Follow the story of Rang-tan, who is forced out of his rainforest habitat and finds himself in a little girl’s bedroom.
Subject Links: English, science, geography, PSHE.
Themes: Habitats, animals and humans, deforestation, homelessness.
Writing Opportunities: Fact file, non-chronological report, diary entry, poetry.
The Rainbow Fish
Marcus Pfister
Summary: The story of a beautiful fish, who finds friendship and happiness when it learns to share with others.
Subject Links: English, science, PSHE.
Themes: Ocean habitat, marine life, sharing, friendship.
Writing Opportunities: Narrative, character description, setting description, instructions, poetry.
Astro Girl
Ken Wilson-Max
Summary: Join Astrid on her space adventure in hope to become an astronaut like her mother.
Subject Links: English, science, PSHE.
Themes: Astronomy, challenging gender stereotypes, adventure, family, race, pursuing dreams.
Writing Opportunities: Narrative, character description, setting description, diary entry, poetry.
Vlad and the Great Fire of London
Kate Cunningham
Summary: A historical fiction about the Great Fire of London but uniquely through the eyes of a flea and his rat friend.
Subject Links: English, history, science, geography, PSHE.
Themes: Fire safety, materials,
famous landmarks, animals.
Writing Opportunities: Fact file, instructions, non-chronological report, diary entry, narrative, poetry.
Somebody Swallowed Stanley
Sarah Roberts
Summary: Meet Stanley, a plastic bag swept into the sea and swallowed by many marine animals that think he’s a delicious treat.
Subject Links: English, science, geography, PSHE.
Themes: The environment, ocean habitat, materials, plastic pollution, looking after the natural world, animals.
Writing Opportunities: Diary entry, explanation text, posters, poetry.
The Proudest Blue
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Summary:
Subject Links: A story of two sisters and their cultural identity. When the two start at a new school, one of them decides to wear the hijab for the first time, which isn’t received well by everyone at first.
Subject Links: English, PSHE, RE.
Themes: Cultural identity, religion, discrimination, tolerance, kindness, family.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, diary entry, poetry.
The Couch Potato
Jory John and Pete Oswald
Summary: A comfortable cushion and screen-time is all the Couch Potato needs to get through life. But when the electricity goes out, the Couch Potato is forced to venture outdoors for some fresh air.
Subject Links: English, science, computing, PSHE.
Themes: Technology, screen-time, health and wellbeing, setting goals.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, fact file, explanation text.
Sofia Valdez, Future Prez
Andrea Beaty
Summary: When Sofia’s grandfather injures himself on a heap of trash, she starts a campaign to get rid of the landfill and replace it with a park for the local community.
Subject Links: English, history, PSHE.
Themes: Powerful voices, challenging gender stereotypes, activism, children as leaders, community.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, persuasive letter, persuasive speech, diary entry, poetry.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
Summary: Beatrice never makes a mistake! She is so afraid of not doing things perfectly that she won’t even try new things.
Subject Links: English, PSHE.
Themes: Perfectionism, fear of failure, making mistakes, growth mindset, resiliency.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, diary entry, speech.
Did You Say Pasghetti? Dusty and Danny Tackle Dyslexia
Tammy Fortune
Summary: Join Dusty and Danny on their journey, as they learn to train their brains, understand dyslexia and tackle their learning difficulties.
Subject Links: English, science, PSHE.
Themes: Learning difficulties, dyslexia, friendship, celebrating differences.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, explanation text, diary entry.
The Name Jar
Yangsook Choi
Summary: Having just moved from Korea, Unhei is nervous about fitting into her new school. So instead of using her Korean name, she decides to choose an American name to introduce herself.
Subject Links: English, geography, PSHE.
Themes: Cultural identity, immigration, anxiety, diversity, self-acceptance.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, fact file, diary entry, poetry.
Pippi Longstocking
Astrid Lindgren
Summary: With a mother in heaven and a father lost at sea, Pippi Longstocking is a free-spirited girl, who is left to her own devices in a little Swedish village.
Subject Links: English, geography, PSHE.
Themes: Northern Europe, Sweden, family, strength, friendship, adventure.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, setting description, fact file, diary entry, poetry.
Nessie The Loch Ness Monster
Richard Brassey
Summary: Millions of years ago, people claimed to have seen Nessie, the sea monster, while others denied her existence. What are the facts and what is only legend? Brassey tells the tale.
Subject Links: English, geography, History.
Themes: The British Isles, Scotland, prehistoric creatures, legends.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, fact file, diary entry, poetry.
Eyes That Kiss In The Corners
Joanna Ho
Summary: A story about a young Chinese girl, who learns to love her Asian-shaped eyes and East-Asian heritage.
Subject Links: English, geography, PSHE.
Themes: China, cultural identity, inclusion, diversity, family, self-acceptance, empowerment.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, diary entry, fact-file, poetry.
The Smeds and The Smoos
Julia Donaldson
Summary: The Smeds never mix with the Smoos. So when a young Smed and Smoo alien fall in love, their families strongly disapprove. But peace is restored and love conquers all, with even a purple baby to celebrate.
Subject Links: Science, Art, PSHE.
Themes: Planets and aliens, relationships, judgements, tolerance, inclusion, primary and secondary colours.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, setting description, persuasive letter, posters, diary entry, poetry.
Look Up!
Nathan Bryan
Summary: Rocket is a little girl fascinated by the universe! She wants to be an astronaut, and is keen to share her knowledge. She longs to emulate Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman in space. There’s a meteor shower looming, and Rocket wants everyone to witness it.
Subject Links: Science, PSHE.
Themes: Relationships, astronomy, challenging gender stereotypes, inspirational women, race, equality, black history.
Writing Opportunities: Character description, diary entry, biography, poetry.